Bengaluru: Several Indira canteens in Bengaluru have halted operations, leaving people dependent on their affordable meals stranded. They have not been operational since Wednesday due to four to six months of delay in salary payments.
Canteens in areas like Malleswaram, Nandini Layout, Yeshwantpur, Kengeri and RR Nagar have suspended services. Staff workers confirmed that they have not turned up for work at kitchens and canteens as they have not been paid for four months.
Labourers who rely on Indira Canteens for meals are among the worst affected. Rangappa D, a domestic worker who frequents the canteen near Majestic, said: "I work as a security guard in a private store here and can barely afford groceries. The meals from the canteen were a lifesaver. Now, I don't know where to go for food. Skipping meals is my only option."
Shankar Naik, a construction worker from Yeshwantpur, said, "I don't have time to cook after working all day. The canteen gave me a place to eat decent meals within my budget. I came here today and found it closed. What do they expect us to do?"
The staff employed at these canteens have their own woes to contend with. A Malleswaram canteen worker said, "We have not been paid for four months despite working long hours. How are we supposed to survive? We're left with no choice but to leave and go back home."
Another Yeshwantpur canteen worker echoed similar sentiments. "We left our homes thinking we'd earn better here, but this is exploitation. BBMP is a fraud organisation," he said.
Suralkar Vikas Kishore, BBMP's special commissioner for health and family welfare, acknowledged the problem and assured action. "The contractor is changed. The previous contractor responsible for settling the payments during the handover has failed to do so. We are aware of the issue and will resolve it at the earliest," he said.